Master of Science in Project Management

Master of Science 45.0 quarter credits

About the Program

The Master of Science in Project Management, a part-time online program, is designed to equip professionals with the fundamental competencies expected of project managers in virtually any field. The course content is mapped to the internationally recognized Project Management Institute's Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®).

Project management is a field that began in the 1950s in the defense industry. In the 1980s, the field gained critical mass in a broad range of industries, including, but not limited to building/construction, defense, engineering, film and video, financial services, government contracting, and IT/software development. Most environments today are “projectized.” In other words, there is a project approach to getting things done. Today's companies use project management (tied to their core competencies) to gain competitive advantage.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (graduate degree GPAs will be considered along with the undergraduate GPA). Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 may be considered.

Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended. Instead of hard copy transcripts, you may supply official electronic transcripts issued by a post-secondary institution directly to Drexel University Online (use our email address, customerservice@drexel.com). You must supply transcripts regardless of the number of credits earned or the type of school you attended. If you do not list all post-secondary institutions on your application and these are listed on transcripts received from other institutions, processing of your application will be delayed until you have submitted the remaining transcripts. Click here to use our Transcript Lookup Tool to assist you in contacting your previous institutions.

Two letters of recommendation. Drexel University Online now accepts electronic letters of recommendation. Please access the following webpage for instructions regarding their submission: http://www.drexel.edu/apply/recommend. If a recommender prefers to submit an original, hard copy letter of recommendation, please remind the recommender that it must be signed and submitted in a sealed envelope signed across the flap by the recommender.

Visit the Graduate Admissions website for more information about requirements and deadlines, as well as instructions for applying online.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Project Management requires completion of 45 credit hours (quarter) of study. The curriculum includes a core of 9 required courses (27 credits), a culminating capstone project experience integrating the knowledge and skills acquired during the program (PROJ 695, 3.0 credits) and 15.0 credits of electives.

Recommended Prerequisites
The following undergraduate courses or their equivalent are recommended:

Electives
Students may use electives to increase project management, creativity, communication, or leadership skills or to develop areas of specialization. Any appropriate graduate course offered in the University can serve as an elective if the student has sufficient background to take the course. In addition, the program will offer its own elective courses including special topics (PROJ 690). Qualified students may also pursue independent study (PROJ 699) for elective credit in special cases.

Courses

PROJ 501 Introduction to Project Management 3.0 Credits

This course will prepare students to manage scheduling, supply management, project team recruiting, resource allocation, time/cost tradeoffs, risk assessment, task coordination, team-building, progress monitoring, and post-project assessment through a comprehensive overview of project management. Case studies are used to illustrate the principles and tools of project management as a process.

College/Department: Goodwin School of Technology & Professional Studies Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit

Quality management is related to project management. Examines basic quality concepts and explores the three sub-processes of quality management: quality planning, quality assurance, and quality control as they relate to project management.

This course will provide an overview of project financial and economic principles involved in product and system development. It is intended to familiarize project managers with methods in project accounting, budgeting, cost estimation, financial management, design optimization, and economics.

Examines the risk factors throughout every phase of a project. Looks at the overall project planning process, explores the use of high-level risk assessment tools, and describes key ideas for project risk planning. Models for risk analysis, assessment, and classification are presented.

This course will examine the use of electronic tools as a means of creating a virtual workplace. Issues related to the use of the e-tools for collaboration and decision making for project management will be explored.

Examines the complex and simultaneous management principles and techniques required to manage multiple projects. Emphasis is placed on a theory and practice of project management that is rigorous and disciplined, yet flexible.

Examines the uniqueness and adaptations of project management when operating in an international context. Details the investigation of cultural, legal, and regulatory environments as the context of international project management.

Examines role of procurement in project management including processes and activities needed to acquire products, services and results required to accomplish a project from outside the project organization. Planning, conducting administering and closing procurements are course components as are relevant legal and ethical issues, contract capacity, authority, public and private bidding processes and dispute resolution methods.

College/Department: Goodwin School of Technology & Professional Studies Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if program is MSC.Prerequisites: PROJ 501 [Min Grade: C]

PROJ 650 Project Stakeholder Management 3.0 Credits

Examines theories and processes required to identify the individuals, groups, organizations, and other stakeholders that could impact or be impacted by a project. Also covers analyzing stakeholder expectations and their influence on the project, and developing strategies for engaging project stakeholders in effective project decisions to ensure successful project outcomes.

College/Department: Goodwin School of Technology & Professional Studies Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if program is MSC.Prerequisites: PROJ 501 [Min Grade: C]

PROJ 690 Special Topics in Project Management 0.5-12.0 Credits

Provides courses in topics of current interest to faculty and students. Topic for study must be approved in advance of registration by the program advisor, the supervising faculty, and the associate dean. May be repeated for credit if topic varies.

College/Department: Goodwin School of Technology & Professional Studies Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for creditPrerequisites: PROJ 501 [Min Grade: C]

PROJ 695 Capstone Project in Project Management 3.0 Credits

Provides an opportunity for the student to successfully integrate knowledge and skills acquired during their master’s program in project management. Students will evaluate the project management practices in an organization and create a report that identifies strengths and weaknesses in an organization and recommend strategies for improvement.

Writing-intensive Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

For additional information, and an up-to-date list of the writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Drexel University Writing Center page